Violence Against Retail Workers Triples Amidst Covid-19 Restrictions

  • Violence and abuse against retail workers tripled during the pandemic
  • Incidents increased from 455 per day in 2019/20 to 1,301 per day in 2020/21
  • BRC’s crime survey revealed the spike in incidents was concentrated in closed stores
  • Only 4% of reported incidents resulted in prosecution
  • Total cost of retail crime reached £1.5bn last year
  • £663m lost to customer theft and £715m spent on crime prevention
  • Higher prices for customers due to increased operating costs
  • Police response described as ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’ by 60% of respondents
  • UK Government introduced a statutory aggravating factor for assaults against public service providers
  • Scotland introduced specific offence for violence and abuse against retail workers

A British Retail Consortium (BRC) survey revealed a significant increase in violence and abuse against retail workers during the pandemic, with incidents tripling to 1,301 per day in 2020/21 compared to 455 in 2019/20. The spike occurred while many stores were closed due to Covid restrictions. Only 4% of reported incidents resulted in prosecution. Retail crime cost £1.5bn last year, with £663m lost to customer theft and £715m spent on prevention. Higher prices for customers are a result of increased operating costs. The BRC will work with Police and Crime commissioners to raise awareness of the new aggravated offence and prioritize retail crime in local policing strategies.

Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate information from the British Retail Consortium’s crime survey on the rise in violence and abuse against retail workers during the pandemic. It also mentions the costs of retail crime and the government’s response to this issue.
Noise Level: 3
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about the increase in violence and abuse against retail workers during the pandemic and the impact on the industry. It also mentions the efforts made by the UK Government to address this issue through legislative changes. However, it could provide more context or analysis of the underlying reasons for the rise in incidents and potential solutions beyond increased police presence.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: Retail sector
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses the increase in violence and abuse against retail workers during the pandemic, which has led to higher costs for crime prevention measures and potentially higher prices for customers. This impacts the financial performance of retail businesses.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: Other
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: Minor
Extreme Rating Justification: There is no extreme event mentioned in the text. The article discusses an increase in violence and abuse against retail workers during the pandemic, but it does not meet the criteria for an extreme event as defined by the task.

Reported publicly: www.retailsector.co.uk